Introduction
'De Rozenhof' is situated in the middle of Lottum, close to the market square where you can park your car free of charge. In 'De Rozenhof' you will find the unique combination of Rosary and Rose Knowledge Center in one.
The 6000 square meter rosary, which is also accessable for wheelchairs, is the only place in the Netherlands where you can admire almost all the roses the with the Dutch quality mark 'Toproos' and the roses with the German quality mark 'ADR-Rose'. One of the five VKC testing gardes of the Netherlans is also situated in the rosary. Here the roses are tested whether their quality meets the requirements of a 'Toproos' predicate. One of its mandatory conditions is that they are healthy without the use of pesticides and herbicides.
'Toproos' is a trademark owned by the section Roses and Rose Rootstocks of the Dutch Federation of Tree Nurseries. The quality mark 'Toproos' is created to offer clarity to the consumer on which species to plant. To become 'Toproos' the species are planted in each of the 5 VKC testing gardens in rosaries all over the Netherlands where they have to grow without the use of pesticides and herbicides. 4 Times a year the submitted roses are inspected by the VKC (Permanent Testing Commission) during a period of 3 years. The health of the rose is the most important criterion of the inspection. Members of the VKC are independant rose experts. Only if the score of these 3 years meet the quality requirements of a 'Toproos' a species can obtain the quality mark 'Toproos'.'Toproos' roses are re-inspected every 3 years. If they don't meet the quality requirements any more the quality mark is withdrawn. Therefore, the quality mark 'Toproos' is a warranty that a species is suitable for garde, park or public plantings in the Dutch climate.
'ADR-Rose' is the German quality mark comparable to the Dutch 'Toproos'. The testing criteria are comparable, only frost resistance is an additional test item in Germany.
In the Rose Knowledge Center you can find information about roses and the rose village Lottum. While enjoying a cup of coffee or tea you can view a digital presentation on roses or have a look at some rose literature. Or you can get help with all your questions about roses. Furthermore, the Rose Knowledge Center has an I-Point on site where you can download and print tourist information about the North-Limburg region.
All maintenance of the rosary and staffing of the Rose Knowledge Center is done by volunteers. Entry to the Rozenhof is free of charge, but every voluntary contribution in favour of 'De Rozenhof' will be very much apprciated.
Opening hours From 30 April untill 7 October 2012 and during the weekends from 8 until 31 October, the Rose Knowledge Center is open to the public from 10.00-17.00 hr. The Rosary is continuously open to the public. Due to the biennial Rose Festival, this year from 10 until 13 August, 'De Rozenhof' will be closed from 6 until 14 August.